Cross Cultural Experience

The concept of RV-ing is simple from my point of view. In the back where the bed is I put clothes that were in my bedroom in drawers into drawers next to the bed. Clothes that were in my closet at home I put in the closet with sliding mirror doors in the RV. Shoes in the closet at home were under the hanging clothes. Under the hanging clothes in the RV I have shoes.

What was in the bedroom is in the bedroom.

Next to the bedroom I could slide a partition to separate it from the bathroom. I don’t. So beyond where the partition could divide the bedroom from the bathroom is the bathroom. There is a bathroom sink in a counter over which is a “medicine cabinet” with a mirror door.
Lots of things could be in the cabinet. I don’t even know what some of them are. The ones the women use I moved to the upper shelf. For me the cabinet is much more convenient than at the house home. When I shower I take the shampoo and conditioner out and set them on the counter. I can reach them from the shower. The vitamins are in there. Tooth brush, paste etc. For one person this bathroom is more convenient than a shared one in the house home.

Ahhh. In this home the bathroom is far more convenient for the aged than most any house. Wake up with the urge and in two steps you’re in the bathroom. Two steps and your back in bed.

Moving forward in the living space of an RV, it is all about space. It is akin to the studio apartment where the kitchen dining area living room with the couch and recliner are in a confined space. As I write I am drinking coffee with a computer on the dining table across from the sink stove counter.

Much more could be written about the RV-ing culture. The RV-ing community has it’s protocols and etiquette and by its mobile nature the mingling of geographic origins. Perhaps there will be a reason to write about those concepts.

The contrast in this cultural comparison is about the Florida Retirement community.

Before I was even on the road to Kissimmee Chuck welcomed me, “Stan, we have plenty of space. We have a guest room ready for you.”

“Chuck, I am driving my RV. I have all I need in it.”

I pictured being parked in an RV park or campground from which I could ride a bicycle or take a bus or even uber over to his home. He knew a court near him but that turned out to be unavailable to me.

I pulled into one of the RV parks AAA had suggested in Kissimmee, connected the electricity and water and called him. He was ready to come and get me. “One thing though, could you put together a change of clothes, whatever you need and stay the night?”

The reality was. I was staying the night.

The trip is about being with the people I came to visit. I have no inclination to sight see the interesting sites in the places where my friends live. I just wan to enjoy the time with them. In every case there will be things to reminisce and current issues and thoughts. The conversations will be what we are thinking and feeling. It’s an update with undefined scope.

Second to this sharing I want to describe it with words and pictures. I like taking pictures. Often the pictures are likable.

So what do I put in the bag for the night when I leave home?

On this trip I usually go to sleep a couple hours after my hosts. I write. I transfer pictures from camera to computer. So I take a laptop, a camera and a bag with a t-shirt and tooth brush etc.

Chuck was positively right. The 30 minute trip took at least an hour and a half in bumper to pumper slow moving traffic.

Charles and Luz live in a luxurious gated community, Bella Lago. Sliding glass doors look out onto their water front. A club house, exercise machines, swimming pool, boat loading dock that can launch into two different lakes, a board walk that reaches a 440 if you were running equivalent to a quarter of a mile. There are a plethora of activities one or a couple could choose to participate.

 

More stunning than the setting and surroundings of their house is the contents of the interior. It is a museum. It is an art gallery.

I have known that Luz is an artist. The extent of style and media of Luz’s painting is amazing. The subjects are from around the world. My words can tell you that it exist. To appreciate her work only seen is believing.

The museum has been curated by Bwana Charles. It began when he served in the Peace Corps. Each piece is a story. Sometimes the story is of the curation. Sometimes it is the story of its cultural value. Sometimes it it is both and more. If you know Chuck then you know he is at times inclined to suggests what to you should do.

What Bwana Charles should do is make a video tour of his museum. With his story telling ability, video clear pictures of his artifacts, describing their use and their importance. He should relate the stories of how he was able to collect the works of art and deliver them to their current museum that is his home with Luz, an artist, his life nurse.

Chuck is a valuable friend of 50 years. Our relationship has often featured a tug of his proactive do and engage activities verses my laid back roll with forces taking them as they come.

He was right to host me with Luz, hostess extraordinaire in their beautiful home in its beautiful setting leaving my home in the cramped RV park for a couple days.

He was right to get me to deal immediately with the Verizon company who were gauging me for data charges to $165 a day. He was right calling numerous RV service companies to arrange immediate service. If I had listened to him and made other calls instead of waiting for a return call that turned out to be costly.

I had a very pleasant visit with Bwana Charles and Luz. My excursion was enhanced immeasurably.

Bwana Charles, Bella Lago